Sensors Surge across Verticals – Connected World

With a focus on the IoT (Internet of Things), and other emerging technology, a big trend from Sensors Midwest in Rosemont, Ill., is that sensors are getting smaller and more accurate. This point was never more evident by the number of announcements to support the emergence of new products popping up as of late.

DunAn Sensing, for instance, announced the availability of its MP Series of harsh media compatible pressure transducers, which eliminates the unreliable “o-ring” used to seal the sensing element from its measured media. Ideal applications are for HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), heat pumps, compressors, hydraulics, off-road vehicles, and industrial equipment.

Gary Winzeler, VP of marketing and sales, DunAn Sensing, says there are three key benefits: reliability in the field, affordability, and accuracy.

For a number of different vertical markets, having an affordable sensor that is both reliable and accurate is essential today. This comes as MarketsandMarkets research shows the IoT sensors market is anticipated to grow 33.6% between 2018 and 2023—due to the fact that there is increased use of sensors in IoT devices and the fact that there is a greater reduction in size, plummeting costs, and greater technological advancement in the area.

As another example, sensors are becoming more precise. This was perhaps one of the biggest trends at Sensors Midwest. TT Electronics showcased its PHS family of rotary position sensors that provide precision sensing in harsh environments and critical applications where repair costs would be high in the case of failure.

Tom Sward, field applications engineer, sensors and specialist components, TT Electronics, adds that one of the biggest differentiators is the size.

Still, precision and accuracy were some of the most talked about topics. As an example, InterSense offers inertial tracking and sensor fusion technology. Its NFT (natural feature tracking) is now available as part of the IS-1500 motion tracking product line. This allows users to access the natural world as a reference for motion tracking.

While these are just a few examples, many companies are offering new solutions that are designed with different verticals in mind including industrial, automotive, healthcare, oil and gas, and consumer electronics. Each sensor offers a unique value proposition to the market, enabling businesses to tap into the Internet of Things.